Nigerian track and field star, Divine Oduduru, has been unveiled as the latest Team VISA athlete ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, ACLSports reports.
Oduduru was unveiled to the media (including YourSportsMemo, ACLSports) at the VISA office, Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi Wednesday morning.
At the unveil alongside Oduduru were representatives from VISA West Africa, led by Vice President, Kemi Adesanya and Director, Corporate Communications, Niyi Adebiyi.
Speaking at the event, VISA Vice President, Adesanya, says the decision to add the five-time African junior champion to their team is a historic one that has left them ‘excited’ and ‘honoured’.
“I am excited that today, Divine will be embarking on a historic journey into the 2020 Olympics. So, we are very excited, ” she began.
“Divine is such an amazing young man with a truly inspiring story. When you think about his journey, you think about his determination, resilience, the challenges he faced over the years and different hurdles he’s had to surmount. (So) we are very honoured to have him in our team as an athlete for Team VISA.”
Apart from that, Adesanya added that having been inspired by Divine’s story and determination to define his place in history as an athlete, that the four-time NCAA champion is a ‘perfect’ embodiment of what the Team VISA brand asset represents.
Commenting on the new chapter in his ever-evolving life, Divine thanked VISA for the opportunity given to athletes to achieve their dreams.
”I want to thank VISA for creating this opportunity for the athlete, ” Oduduru said.
“It is really lovely and I am happy to be a part of Team Visa. It is a dream that every athlete wants to be a part of and being a part of it (now) is a really big honour, ” he added.
It would be recalled that VISA also supported the first-ever Nigerian Women’s Bobsleigh team who represented the country at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Speaking to ACLSports, Vice President Adesanya promised that they will continue to identify and partner with Nigerian athletes.
We have done it with the Bobsled team, we are doing it with Oduduru today, (so) we know that we will continue to identify and partner with athletes that we believe share the same values we have, ” she concluded.
With VISA fully backing him, Oduduru’s dream to make the country proud by winning medals in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m at 2020 Olympics will see him get the best of preparations to not only repay Visa’s faith but also create a story the world will hear.
“What every athlete really wants is for you to have the facilities and environment to train and I think with Team Visa providing this sponsorship, it is going to help (me) get the best training and use of my time, ” he said.
“It is something that tells you ‘these people are looking out for you, so you have to give your best.’ So, I am determined for Team Visa and need to work hard and the Olympics will be a story the world is going to hear.”
